Church Members Mourn Shocking Loss Of Teen Musician

According to his Facebook profile, he called himself "Drummer Boy". To family and friends, the talented 17-year old was Vonzell Banks. 

Earlier today, Banks was fatally shot at Hadiyah Pendleton Park  in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. (Ironically, Pendleton--for whom the park is named-- was a victim of the same violence 2 years earlier.) 

Banks was a member of Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer in the Woodlawn neighborhood where he played the drums for the choir. He was also a rising senior at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy.

Bro putting in some #SlightWork
Posted by Anthony SoundBased Benion on Thursday, September 11, 2014

In a Facebook thread, choir members from Cosmopolitan Church of Prayers shared memories from as recent as Thursday night-- the last time Banks rehearsed with them.

One choir member wrote "[Banks] danced and shouted" after the rehearsal during a moment of praise. Additionally, his friends posted special memories about him on his Facebook page.

On behalf of Zack's TV, we extend our condolences to The Banks family, Dunbar Career Academy, and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer. 

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Spike Lee "Claps Back" At Chiraq Critics

Spike Lee wants to "do the right thing" in Chicago. But his upcoming film project, "Chiraq", has attracted all of the wrong attention before one single frame has been filmed. 

This morning, he held a press conference at St. Sabina Church to address his critics. "Wait 'til the movie comes out," Lee advised the naysayers. According to multiple outlets, the premise of the film is based on Lysistrata-- a Greek tale about women withholding sex to keep their men from fighting.

(Lee fails to give credit to the 2003 B-movie, "A Miami Tail" --starring rapper Trina-- which featured the same concept.)

The Economic Impact of "Chiraq"

At today's conference, Lee reported that "Chiraq" has a $15 million budget. In addition to that, the film is expected to bring $40 million to Chicago in various ways.  The film, distributed and produced by Amazon Studios, will be filmed in Englewood-- a neighborhood ranked as one of the nation's most violent.

While the Illinois Film Office has a welcoming approach to big productions, there are some who want to halt Lee's desire for a $3 million tax break. Last week, Chicago alderman Will Burns (4th Ward) submitted a resolution to have the Illinois Film Office reject Lee's possible request.  

What Will A Tax Credit Do?
  
The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, signed in December 2008, "consists of 30% of Illinois production spending" and applicants must provide a diversity plan which represents the State. 

If granted the credit, Lee's production could receive additional credits if employees come from an impoverished area. Given that the film is set in Englewood, paid extras and general staff from Chicago's South Side could contribute to a quid pro quo arrangement. (In other words, there will be a mutual exchange.) 

Yet, some critics claim that unions benefit from the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit because it applies to Illinois labor only. Being that Illinois is a not "right-to-work" state, unions play a major role in hiring practices.  (Right-to-work allows workers to escape unionism.) 

For Lee's team, time is running out. The application must be received within 24 hours of principal photography.

Hopefully, Lee's investment will pay off for the citizens of "Chiraq" and not just pad the pockets of his production company-- 40 Acres And A Mule-- and Amazon Studios.  

Lee with Bonita Foster, who lost her daughter Porshe to violence in November 2012.

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From Ballin' to Bawlin': Bandman Kevo Charged With Bank Fraud

Chicago rapper Kevin "Bandman Kevo" Ford wanted international acclaim for his music; Now, he is a household name connected to alleged bank fraud. 

According to NWI Times reporter Sarah Reese, Ford was among 29 defendants charged in what authorities have called a "card-cracking" scheme. On Wednesday, the feds released an official criminal complaint featuring allegations of Ford and his counterparts using social media to carry out the scheme. 

'Crack Cards or Starve': A New Culture of Crime

For the past 3 years, social media users have seen familiar messages from devious people participating in "card cracking." Card cracking schemes involve the recruiters collecting debit cards and PIN numbers from banking customers in order to deposit fake checks. When the banks notice the checks are bad, the customer is left "on the hook."

College students are common targets, experts say. Many students have been approached in public settings like nightclubs-- not just social media. In those environments, scam artists have been more persuasive and persistent to get their targets to hand over bank cards.

Some have argued that rap music has introduced teens and college students to card-cracking. From Chief Keef to Dreezy, a growing number of rap songs feature lyrics about "cracking cards because it's stack or starve." 

If convicted, Bandman Kevo is going to be stacking laundry in federal prison and starving for freedom.

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Dear Chicago Youth: Stop Fighting The Wrong Fights!

I do my best to keep judgment to a minimum. 

[In fact, I've been judged for what I've said, written, and worn.]

But some things need to be addressed. 

Last week, students at Chicago's historic Paul Laurence Dunbar Vocational Career Academy--the alma mater of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson-- used their youthful energy in the wrong way by fighting and causing havoc on their school's campus.  

Don't get me wrong; I was their age 15 years ago and fell short of perfection on my occasions.

However, I had a support system at home consisting of two old-fashioned parents who encouraged me to "get my sh*t together" because the world was not going to accept my excuses in lieu of rent. 

Post by Abnormal Paris.

Those rowdy students at Dunbar don't realize that their REAL competition goes to school in the same neighborhood. Students at schools like De La Salle and The Young Women's Leadership Charter School are being prepared for lucrative careers and unlimited success. Meanwhile, kids who choose to fight and riot during instructional time are being prepared for lives of misery. 

I understand that "the system" is set up to fail minority youth. But I am a living witness that you CAN beat "the system." You have to stop celebrating ignorance and idolizing celebrities! TURN OFF THE DAMN TV! As my parents would tell me when I was younger: "Those celebrities already HAVE A JOB!"

Alternatives

One alternative is the Walgreens Expressions Challenge.  
The Walgreens Expressions Challenge is a creative contest which gives teens a chance to win $2,000 while expressing their views on issues such as self esteem, teen pregnancy, and STD prevention. 

The contest runs from October 1 to November 30 and is held annually. 

After November 30, there will still be opportunities for teens to engage in positive activities as well. 

Teens at Dunbar High School should partner with the PTA to have Family Fun Days at least one weekend a month. During the events, students can enjoy their school in a relaxed environment (with appropriate security) and enjoy surprise visits from notable alumni-- including Jennifer Hudson. 

The next video they should release is one showing the students celebrating a triumph instead of almost trampling each other in a silly fight.

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Chicago's "Murderers' Row": An Epicenter of Urban Violence

It is Chicago's home of irony. 

Just a few steps from the historic Leak & Sons Funeral home is one of Chicago's most deadly areas.

According to Homicide Watch, the area around surrounding the intersection of 79th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue is called "Murderer's Row". 

That's very unbelievable. 

I wish this area was known as "Striver's Row". 

Last May, an innocent school teacher was fatally shot after being caught in gang crossfire near the same intersection. 

For those wondering what community leaders are doing, there has been some effort to curb crime. Pastor John F. Hannah, the charismatic leader of New Life Covenant Church, has organized outings to shut down liquor stores and improve safety.

In addition to churches, the Chicago Police Department has been under scrutiny for its response to the violence. A recent Sun-Times article features the following response from police: 

While some residents say the area is getting worse, there has been a 50 percent decrease in murders along the stretch compared with the same period last year. 

Police have deployed additional resources in the area, including officers on foot posts and in “impact zones,” CPD’s Tracy said.

“There is real progress,” Tracy said. “It’s not just on 79th Street, but throughout the city. … Other than two or three districts, we have reductions in crime throughout the city.”

The issue of more police came up in the above video. And I understand many people may not believe police statistics. It's clear that there's a problem here. What can ultimately be done about it? 

On that note, I am curious to know what candidates for Alderman of the 6th & 8th Wards (around or near that intersection) plan to do about this issue.

~ Levois J.

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The Stunning Reality Of Urban Violence (Editorial)

Shamiya Adams is the top story of Chicago news right now.

Unfortunately, we have come to know her name in a tragic way. 

She is the beautiful 11-year-old child (seen left) who was slain when stray bullets entered her friend's home while they did what preteen girls do: have sleepovers, make snacks, and enjoy being kids. 

Across the nation, kids are being robbed of more than just their childhoods; some of them are being robbed of their lives by heartless criminals. Last week, 14-year-old James Jerimiah Thomas was shot to death at a community center in Jacksonville. Two days ago, a 5-year-old girl was killed in Leavenworth, Kansas, during a police shootout. (The police say that the bullet that ended her life was not fired by them.)

When I saw Shamiya's picture on the news, I thought of my own nieces visiting from Atlanta--some of whom were born in Chicago. The eldest, Jay Marie, is 13, and a very athletic 6 feet; the youngest, Reagan, is the cutest, most playful 1-year-old you will ever meet. The other two, Morgan (9), and Ryan (6), are inquisitive and creative. Despite their differences, I love them all equally without favoritism-- just like Shamiya's family loved her. 

I couldn't imagine getting the news that any coward would hurt anyone close to me. The idea is enough to give me chills to my spine. But the world has become disconnected and distracted by the wrong things. Most people prefer to use social media for personal pleasure instead of mobilizing for social change. And they won't get involved until a tragedy hits their doorstep. 

That is frightening. 

We shouldn't have to wait for tragedy to happen to someone close to us in order to join the movement. For us, the real problem is not "stopping the violence" but "starting a movement." If we start the movement, the decrease in violence will follow suit. By ignoring the proper order of things, we are delaying peace and creating a culture of danger.

My nieces are back in suburban Atlanta now. As much as I would like them to return, I would rather go down there to visit them. I don't want them returning to a city that is not prepared to give them the safety every child deserves. 

The only way to be "So Chicago" is to become "So pissed off" with urban violence that it becomes a thing of the past for our children. 

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Meet Glenda Franklin: A Different Kind Of "Undercover Boss"

On the popular CBS program, "Undercover Boss," corporate employees work with their company's executives (who are disguised as contestants on a different show.) At the end of each program, the executive reveals his or her identity and gives (satisfactory) employees surprise perks for their service.
In the case of Glenda Franklin--a former employee of Chicago's 17th Ward alderman Latasha Thomas--the boss received a "surprise" of her own. 

After working for Alderman Thomas for 7 years, Ms. Franklin told her employer that she wanted to run for that same seat in 2015. However, the 50-year-old community advocate contends that her decision is not rooted in betrayal. Instead, she feels her campaign is part of a divine assignment. 

"Politicians are not standing up and saying anything," Ms. Franklin told Zack's TV in a recent phone interview. "They don't use politics to advance the whole community." 

While some critics have questioned her  political motives, Ms. Franklin contends that she and Alderman Thomas parted amicably. "Because I am a loyal person, I always made Alderman Thomas aware of what I was doing as her employee," she said. " I told her: 'I'm going to leave your office so I can run my campaign.'" 

According to local reports, Franklin's campaign has been off to a strong start. She received the endorsement of her pastor, Father Michael Pfleger-- a well known minister and activist. In addition to that, young voters have been embracing Ms. Franklin's grassroots efforts to engage them in the political process. (In the video below, Ms. Franklin speaks to prospective voters.) 

Post by Glenda Franklin.

For all voters of the 17th Ward, Ms. Franklin has one mission: to provide empowerment. In her eyes, the best way to be empowered is to participate in the political process.

"We must get out and vote." 

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Chicago Mayor Responds To Holiday Violence: 'Unacceptable'

Photo by Big Zack TV

After a long holiday weekend, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel returned to a pressing issue: gun violence.

But the reports are conflicting. 

Some media outlets confirmed that over 50 were shot and 11 dead; others indicate numbers of shooting victims to be over 80. 

On a muggy Monday afternoon, community leaders and residents of the city's Roseland neighborhood came to Kids Off The Block-- a center operated by activist Diane Latiker-- for a vigil and press conference. 

At the press conference, the mayor called the violence "unacceptable" and pushed for more community involvement to supplement the efforts given by Chicago police. 

Earlier in the day, Chicago police superintendent Garry McCarthy blamed lax gun laws. 

For activists like Jedidiah Brown, there is one question which remains unanswered: "Where is the leadership from so-called leaders?" 

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Don't 'Wing It' Alone: 5 Reasons To Take Self Defense Classes

In a world where the police only respond to "serious" emergencies, more people are turning to self defense to protect the person who matters the most: the one in the mirror! 

Contrary to popular assumptions, self defense is not just a thing for scrawny folks. (Look at the big guy in the picture above. I'm sure he doesn't need martial arts to let folks know that he means business.) 

And it's not just a thing for women or Will Smith's character on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."  

Men of all ages, physical builds, and income levels can benefit from taking self defense classes. 

Here are five reasons why: 

Self Defense Helps Improve Discipline
Before the ass-kicking begins, most self defense instructors like Matt Johnson (pictured above far right) will explain to students that with great power comes great responsibility. 

Known as "Sifu Matt," the veteran instructor teaches students about self control and meditation. 

It is a strategy of "choosing your battles wisely" to avoid fighting back when escape is a safer option.

Self Defense Provides Gun-Free Alternatives To Conflicts

Sometimes, conceal and carry is not the answer. The safest alternative to using a gun is learning how to defend yourself without one.

Self Defense Is A Gift That Keeps Giving

"When you learn, teach; When you get, give." 

You can share more than video game tips with your friends. It will help keep them from becoming defeated by real-life monsters! 

 

Self Defense Can Boost Your Confidence

When you know that you have the tools to defend yourself, you will feel more confident and less afraid.


Self Defense Connects You With New Friends 

If you are tired of hanging with couch potatoes or chatting with Facebook friends, self defense classes offer a positive social environment. 

What are you waiting for? ;) 

Head to Matt Johnson's website for more info. 
   

 



 

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Should The News Be So Sensational? (Editorial)

The New York Post has done it again.

The tabloid publication--known for its hyper-sensational approach to "news"-- has drawn ire from readers and critics alike for the cover you see above.

The man hanging on the subway platform is Ki Suk Han--a father from Queens who got into an altercation with a panhandler before he was pushed on the tracks. (Moments later, he was fatally struck by the train.)

What is most troubling about this photo is the egregious disrespect shown to Mr. Han's family. The world will see his last moments sold to readers for a profit by the newspaper and the "photographer." It makes one wonder if autopsy and crime scene photos will soon be published on front pages to help "save" the fledgling newspaper business.  

The same New York Post looking to boost readership has been losing it to competitors like The New York Times and The New York Daily News. 

It appears as if their efforts have resulted in a counterproductive outcome. 

In the news business, there is the mantra: "If it bleeds, it leads." In that case, The New York Post must believe that instead of reporting about a photographer saving a man from his impending fate --it would be better to post a picture showing just how insensitive we have become.

For many publishers of media, the temptation of using "sensation" is always present--even for yours truly. Yet, the payoff for using shock value should never be traded for basic ethics and moral. Simply put: there are some things that money can't buy. 

You can't buy the respect of your readers--you must earn it. 

 

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Chicago Activist Rejects Negative Media Coverage

Ay-Sha Butler knows that Englewood is not the most popular neighborhood in Chicago. Crime is high, property values are low, and hope has been fading for years.

Yet, Mrs. Butler and her husband, Antoine, have been working hard to change that. 

Courtesy of Ay-Sha Butler

She was featured in a Zack's TV article last May for her work in the Englewood. 

Now, the youthful activist has written her own account of what's really happening in the embattled neighborhood. On her blog, "A New Voice From Englewood," she laments the recent coverage from local newspapers which focuses on the crime rate.  

In the post titled, "A Good Day In Englewood," Butler talks about the "tons" of good days which have gone unnoticed. 

Even with the challenges we face here, there are still many great examples of Good Days in Englewood and it does not depend on if someone was shot or killed in the neighborhood.

Responding to rumors that Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel might move to the neighborhood, Butler says this: 

I wish Rahm would move to Englewood, so he could get a reality check and see firsthand how the city's resources are truly allocated to the point that they become scarce on the South Side once you travel past 35th Street.......We are definitely in the "colored" folks zone being in Englewood and I dare the mayor to live here for a day.

No word yet from "the media" or "the mayor" about Mrs. Butler's views. 

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A Tragic Full Circle: From Volunteer To Victim

When Pamela and Tom Bosley lost their son, Terrell, to gun violence in 2006--his friend, Robert Munn stepped up to the plate and stood by the couple and their children while they grieved. 

He would help Mrs. Bosley pass out flyers and provide dee-jay services for special events.

Now, Robert is gone.

Last Monday, the 29-year-old Munn was shot to death behind his grandmother's house near 89th and Cottage Grove. 

Just moments before, he stopped to get something to eat in a neighborhood that was dear to his heart. 

Right across the street, his family is well known at New Bethlehem #4 M.B. Church where Mrs. Bosley's father, Rev. Louis Montgomery, is pastor.  In fact, some of the church members say they heard the shots which ended Munn's life.

Yet, no one saw anything. 

It is a common scenario for many families and friends seeking justice for their loved ones: many eyes but no one sees anything. Sometimes, they are being honest; other times they are fearful to come forward with information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Mrs. Bosley (left) organizes volunteers.

Now, Mrs. Bosley has another unsolved death to grieve. 

The day after Munn's death, she and her husband organized people to pass out flyers in the surrounding neighborhood to make residents aware of what happened.

"It's horrible. Not just for me but for my children, for the youth at this church, for the adults," she told Zack's TV. 

"That's how much he had an impact on everybody." 

(There is a $5,000 award for information leading to an arrest of a suspect by contacting Chicago Police at 312-747-8271 or St. Sabina Church at 773-483-4300.)

~ Zack The Producer

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Celebrities Step Up To Stop Chicago Violence

It was a scene reminiscent of the 2006 film, Gridiron Gang.

LaChelle Sanders (left) speaks with Fr. Pfleger

Last Saturday, rival gang members in Chicago's violent Auburn-Gresham neighborhood put down their guns and picked up basketballs for "The Peace Tournament" held at St. Sabina Church's gymnasium.

For a change, the only hand signals on the court were given by referees.

And there were some very notable faces in the crowd.  

Actress/singer Drew Sidora, activist Ameena Forte-Matthews and several  current and former NBA players came out to show their support--including Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose.

Rose spoke to the gang members about finding more peaceful alternatives--such as basketball--instead of making violent (and sometimes irreversible) decisions. He was joined by another Chicago native, Orlando Magic small forward Quentin Richardson. 

The same Rose who had been seen flashing gang signs years back, built a rapport with the young men--according to a Zack's TV source. 

In addition to Rose and Richardson, other current and former stars including Isiah Thomas made a pledge to continue to work with young people in the neighborhood.  

Olatunji Oboi Reed in Brazil (courtesy of Facebook)

Olatunji Reed, a research assistant in social affairs, supports what the athletes are doing. 

"We need more athletes and entertainers taking an active role in improving the conditions of our community," the 38-year-old Roosevelt University student said.  "They have incredible resources that can be put to use in our communities."

During the summer, Reed studied social affairs in Brazil--where he observed racism, health care disparities and poverty. For him, human suffering is not limited to the urban ghettos of America. But he clarified that elite American entertainers should still do their part. 

"They have an important voice that we need to hear in our communities," he said. 

"I would love to see them do more." 

~ Zack The Producer

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URBAN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA (PART 1): Beyond The Windy City

FORT WORTH- As the national media spotlights inner-city violence in Chicago, other U.S. cities--like Fort Worth, Texas-- are working to maintain a low crime rate.

Last month, the Fort-Worth Star Telegram reported that the city's crime rate had dropped 7.2 % from January to July 2012--compared to the same period in 2011. However, homicides increased over 50% from 19 to 29.

Yet, the city's police chief Jeff Halstead told the local media that the crime rate remains relatively low even with a continuous growth in population. [The most recent figures show that over 750,000 people live there.]

Regina Seaman, a 45-year-old consultant, moved to Texas from Rochester, New York in 2008. Until last year, she lived in nearby Arlington before settling in Fort Worth. The tech-savvy grandmother says that the city is "not the most violent," but she acknowledges that cities such as Chicago and Detroit are in far worse shape. 

Seaman writes about social issues on her blog, Regina's Family Seasons--which was born out of her passion for writing. In fact, she used her love for writing to keep a group of teens occupied when she worked as a youth services manager for a small nonprofit agency in Rochester. They started a newsletter to bring awareness to issues in the community.

"The program was awesome and we started distributing the newsletters to community organizations and got other young people involved," Seaman recalls. 

The youthful grandmother believes that urban violence should be addressed by first looking at how to keep the youth busy doing positive things. In her opinion, the community must allow their actions to speak louder than words. 

"[The community] needs to be genuinely concerned and prepared to help if necessary," she explains. "If 'Johnny' says he is having a hard time with math--offer to assist if you are good in math."

Seaman added that the "code of silence," in which community residents fail to report crimes due to fear of retaliation, creates a counter-productive effect in the war on drugs and violence.

"Communities cannot fight crime with one hand and beckon it with the other." 

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Wing Chun (Part 2): 'It's About The Journey'

"Everyday of your life, you're faced with situations that may cause you to lose your patience or may cause you to fight and argue," says "Sifu" Matthew Johnson. 

Johnson, founder of the Ving Tsun ("Wing Chun") Self Defense Academy in Chicago, where he teaches group classes and private lessons to people interested in this special style of kung fu. 

He spoke with Zack's TV reporter Mary Hobbs about what a student must master inside and outside the classroom.       


~ Zack's TV Staff
 

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Obama & Chicago's Inner-City Violence (Part 2): FINDING SOLUTIONS

March 2012 vigil for Greg Robinson

President Obama will return to Chicago on August 12 for a birthday party at his home in the city's posh Kenwood neighborhood. It will be the third time he has come back to the South Side this summer. But  he is not expected to visit areas in the city regularly affected by violence. Instead, the backyard gathering will serve as a fund raising event for his 2012 re-election campaign.

Yet, the President has begun to address inner-city violence across America more often.

At a National Urban League event in New Orleans this week, he made a pledge to make the issue of gun violence a priority. According to Reuters, President Obama mentioned that he would use as many avenues possible. "I'm going to continue to work with members of both parties and with religious groups and with civic organizations to arrive at a consensus around violence reduction," the President said. 

This Saturday, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition will hold a press conference at an AMC Movie Theater in downtown Chicago. The group is expected to call for a renewal of the assault weapons ban.  To push the measure forward, there is a petition on the Rainbow Push website.

Cyber columnist Monroe Anderson has a suggestion for the public: hold a news conference and make a special request. "Chicago residents should request that the President send in the U.S. Army to patrol the streets," the veteran journalist advises. For Anderson, it is a step up from asking The National Guard to assist with violence--a solution proposed by Illinois politicians last year.  

From a legal perspective, both alternatives would have to comply with the Posse Comitatus Act of 1787. It requires that an Act of Congress or a waiver signed by the President must be in place for military patrols to assist with calming public unrest. 

Anderson confesses that asking for military help would be used more for publicity than politics. If the national media pushes the story, it would likely gain the President's attention. "President Obama is not going to send in the Marines, but he may give Mayor Emanuel some federal money for more police," he says. 

La Chelle Sanders, a community activist, is an "advocate for unity in the community." As founder of the I-Matter II foundation, Sanders coordinates events to keep young people involved in positive activities. This weekend, the foundation will host a "Shoot For Peace" charity basketball game at the UIC Athletic Building. 

"People talk a good talk but now it's time to work," she says. 

Ms. Sanders admits that working together will not be easy but it is necessary to keep the streets safe.  

"It's up to us to take back our streets, community, and take back our kids."

~ Zack A. Isaacs

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